| Electronics |
| Historically,
projecting our power beyond the line-of-sight was extremely difficult
before WW II. Our weapon systems had progressed faster than our ability
to employ them at the maximum ranges. For example, the furthest you can
see over the ocean on a clear day is about 18 miles. Beyond that, the curvature
of the earth prevents visual targeting or communication with signal
flags. During WW II, the radar, sonar, and voice communication systems
accelerated rapidly, primarily to the pre-war efforts of the British.
These new tools allowed us to communicate over extremely long ranges accurately
and quickly. They enabled our weapons to strike at targets well
beyond our range of vision in any weather conditions. During WW II
technologies were refined to allow us to "see" targets over a
hundred miles away. Identify Friend or Foe
interrogators and transponders let us to identify our friends and
enemies electronically - long before we could see them. In the case of
our enemies, we could strike and kill them long before they even saw
us. These electronic "weapons" assured our victory in
the war. For example, in the battle of Surigao Strait we destroyed
several Japanese battleships and cruisers using radar alone
to direct our weapons and adjust fire. For the first time in history, we
we used technology to fight an electronic war. |
| Antenna
Systems |
Antennas almost always give away
the communications, radar, ECM, and IFF capabilities of a ship. Antennas
are also a good way to date ships since the introduction of different
radio systems are known and were often accompanied by distinctive
antenna systems. Antennas are un-exciting to many people so the format
is picture-oriented, making it easy to find out what each antenna is
for. |
| Communications |
Voice communications came of age
in WW II. Prior to this time, telegraph communication using the complex Morse
code was the only radio communication possible. While useful (and still
in use today), it was impossible to use while flying planes, driving
tanks, rushing an enemy position, or directing a gun. |
| Cryptography
Systems |
Cryptography is a difficult
subject to cover, for two reasons. First, detailed information on
equipment, even after 50+ years is hard to come by, so I'm still working
on this section. Second, crypto systems were routinely kept in vaults,
which are very tight spaces (stay with me, I'm building an excuse for
the crooked photographs). The photos are the best of the bunch and I
apologize for chopping off a corner here and there. |
| Electronic Counter Measures
(ECM) |
ECM includes equipment used to
jam, interfere and deceive enemy communications, fire control, and
radars. |
| Radar |
Radio Detection
And Ranging was one of the most useful tools
of WW II. Radar replaced the human eye in detecting, ranging and
targeting the enemy. This section discussed air search radar, surface
search radar, range-finding radar, and fire direction
radar.
|
| Sonar |
Sonar, or
"Asdic" as our British allies called it, was another great
invention that matured during WW2. SOund Navigation
And Ranging allowed us to "see"
the enemy underwater. |
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